Asbestos awareness begins with an understanding that asbestos is not a single chemical compound. Any of six hydrated silicate minerals may be called asbestos. They each have different compositions but can all be separated into thin fibrous crystals. The minerals are grouped into two classes according to the physical shape of the fibrous crystals they contain.
Understanding the differences between these minerals is also an essential component of asbestos awareness. While exposure to any type of asbestos has been linked to adverse health risks, some types appear to be much more hazardous than others. Chrysotile asbestos separates into curly fibres and is extremely flexible. It is mined from serpentine deposits and occurs in flat, ribbon-like layers. Amphibole asbestos separates into long, needle-like fibres and can be any of five minerals.
Asbestos awareness requires an expectation of where asbestos containing material might be encountered. Chrysotile asbestos, which is the most commonly encountered type of asbestos, was used extensively in building construction as drywall and joint compound, as a component of plaster, in vinyl floor tiles, sheeting, adhesives, as roofing felt and shingle material, in acoustic popcorn ceilings, as transite panels, siding and countertops, and as fireproofing material. It was also used industrially as fireproofing material, thermal pipe insulation, valve packing, gasket material and particulate filters. Chrysotile asbestos was commonly used as thermal insulation on boilers and hot water or heating pipes in schools as well as in industrial settings.
Amphibole types of asbestos were often used in low density insulation board and ceiling tile, and in asbestos-cement construction sheets and water pipes.
People who worked in industries where any of these items were produced or used may have been exposed to airborne asbestos fibres; inhalation of these fibres can cause several types of malignant cancers or a non-cancerous scarring of the lungs known as asbestosis. Understanding the adverse health effects associated with asbestos exposure is also an important part of asbestos awareness.
Asbestos awareness is crucial to the identification of asbestos related illnesses. The effect of asbestos exposure is often separated from the cause by decades, and the risks associated with asbestos are not limited to the workplace. Many employees brought asbestos fibres home on their uniforms or clothing and shoes or even in their hair. Family members may have been exposed to airborne asbestos fibres without ever stepping foot into an area where the materials were used or produced.
Asbestos awareness also requires a knowledge of a building’s age and likely materials of construction. People may be exposed to asbestos when the buildings they live in are renovated or demolished for new construction.
Asbestos awareness includes understanding the forms of asbestos, the various uses of asbestos containing materials, identifying potential exposure vectors, and realizing that health effects from exposure can be greatly delayed. Asbestos awareness is essential to preventing future exposure and to the early diagnosis and treatment of asbestos related illnesses when exposure has already occurred.